Direction signaling device



Sept. 16, 1952 E. BARCUS l DIRECTION SIGNALING\D EVICE Filed June 8, 1950 nventor Gttornegs Patented Sept. 16,1952

DIRECTION SIGNLING DEVICE vEdward L. Barons, Anderson, Ind., assigner to General Motors Corporation, Detroit, Mich., a

corporation of Delaware Application Jn'e 8, 1950, Serial No. 166,878

(Cl. 20o-59) 11 Claims.

The present invention relates to direction signaling devices for automotive vehicles and more particularly to signaling devices of the type disclosed in my application Serial No. 131,606, led December 7, 1949, and assigned to the assignee of the present invention.

An object of the invention is to provide an improved signaling device so constructed and arranged as to provide for the manual setting of the device to energize a signaling circuit and the automatic resetting of the device to a neutral position after a predetermined angular movement of the steering mechanism.

This and other objects are attained in accordance with the present invention by providing a direction signaling device with a manually settable operating mechanism having means adapted to iricticnally engage the hub of a steering wheel to reset the mechanism after a predetermined angular movement of the steering wheel.

For a better understanding of the invention reference may be had to the accompanying drawing in which Figure l is a top plan view of the signaling device mounted on the steering column of a vehicle with the cover of the device removed; Figure 2 is an elevational view in cross section of the device mounted on the steering column -adjacent the steering wheel of a vehicle; Figure -3 is a fragmentary view of the device taken along the line 3-3 of Figure 2; Figure 4 is a fragmentary view similar to Figure 2 illustrating a modiiication of the present invention; Figure 5 is a fragmentary view taken along the line 5-5 of Figure 4 and Figure 6 is a detail perspective View of the hub of the modification illustrated in Figures 4 and 5.

Referring now to the drawing and particularly to Figures l and 2, there is illustrated a signaling device embodying the present invention in which the operating mechanism is enclosed in a housing 2 adapted to be attached to the steering column 4 adjacent the steering Wheel 6 of an automotive vehicle. The housing 2 is formed with an integral split ring clamp consisting of the yoke member 8 to which there is attached a cooperating clamping arm I0 hinged at l2. With thisform of housing it is readily attachable Ato the steering column 4 of avehicle by swinging rthe arm Ill outwardly, placing the yoke in engagement vwith the surface of the steering column and thereafter clamping the` housing to the steering column with a vthreaded member I4 as shown. kPositioned within the housing is a die cast operating member I6 comprising a cam segment i8, a hub 20 and an operating lever 22 which extends outwardly of the housing through an opening 24. The operating lever IB is rotatably mounted on a partly threaded member 26 which also serves to secure a housing cap 28 to the housing, as shown. y

To effect an automatic return of the operating member I6 to its neutral position from either of its operating positions, a friction wheel 30 is provided in the housing. The wheel comprises a hub 32 mounted on a journal bushing 34 and an annular ring 36 of suitable resilient material such, for example, as rubber or the like. The ring 36 is secured to the hub by a washer 38 which is attached to the hub by spreading a portion of the hub over the washer, as shown. To effect a suitable frictional engagement between the hub 32 and the ring 3S, the hub is provided with an inwardly extending axial flange which seats in a cooperating annular recess in the ring, as shown in Figure 2. Extending axially and outwardly of the hub 32 is a pin or hub projection 40.

The friction wheel 3i) is mounted for rotation on a pin 42 extending upwardly from a pivot plate 44 having' its lower end recessed in a slot 455 formed in the housing. A bushing 48 is also mounted on pin 42 with one end slidably engaging the upper end of journal bushing 34. Bushing 48 is provided with a frange 5i), see Figure 3, which extends around the bushing through substantially 180 as shown. With bushing 48 and wheel 33 positioned on pin 42 the bushing 48 may be rotated relatively to the wheel-3D until the ends of the flange engage the pin 40, thus forming a lost motion connection between the wheel'and the bushing. Further, the bushing is in frictional engagement with a camming plate 52 secured to the cam segment I8 by any suitable means such as rivets. The camming plate is of a metal adapted to be heat-treated to provide a hard wearing surface for engaging the bushing 48 and is formed-with a camming recess 49. The bushing 48 is yieldingly urged into engagement with the cammingplate 52 by a spring 54 which has one end connected to an ear 55 pressed outwardly from the pivot plate and the other end is connected to a iiange 58 extending inwardly from the housing 2.

Secured Vwithin the housing by threaded members 59 is a double throw multi-pole electrical switch 6l) such as that disclosed in my copending .application ySerial No. 123,036, i'lled October 22,

1949-andassigned to the-assignee of the present application.` AThe switch has its operating arm 62 recessed in a slot 64, formed in the operating member I6 and is adapted forconnectiontoa .adjacent the camming recess.

A modified form of friction wheel 55 is illustrated in Figures 4, 5 and 6 and comprises a hub 66 adapted for mounting on pin 132. Extending around the periphery ofY hub 56 is an annular ring G81-of resilient material which is clamped to the hub .by (an annular washer Vlli. A bushing 'I2 having a radially extending lug 'i4 is positioned on pin 42 adjacent the hub B6 with the lug 'I4 extending into a segmental groove 'I extending angularly a predetermined distance around the axis of the hub and formed by a cooperating inner edge of the washer lil with the hub 66. A recessed slot 'Vi is also formed in the hub 66 by the coop-eration of hub 66 and Washer 'I0 and is also adapted to receive thelug 14 of bushing '12. With this arrangement of the friction wheel and the bushing l2, the bushingjnay `be positioned with its lug 7f3 extending intoslot 11 to prevent relative rotary movement of the `hub and resilient ring with respect to the bushing or it may be positioned with the lug extending into the segmental groove 15 to permit limited .relative movement of the bushing 4on'the hub.

In the operation of the direction signaling device hereinabove described, a counterclock- `Wise rotation of operating member I6 to the dotted line position of Figure l urges the bushings 48 or 12 'out of camming recess 49 against theW pressure of spring 54 and into engagement with one of the surfaces of the camming plate the peripheral edge of'the'wheel 38 or 65 is forced into engagement withfthe hub of the steering wheel 6 andthe switch 6B through its switch arm B2'is positioned to provide'a predetermined signaling" circuit electrical connection. With a counterclockwise rotation of the steeringwheel 6, either wheel 30 or 65 rotates in a clockwise direction'on pin l2V until hub projection 4G or the end edge of segmental groove 'l5 is engaged by the lug 5i! `or 14 respectively; With such engagement the bushing 48 or 'l2 rotates in a clockwise direction with the friction wheel, sliding on vthe surface of the camming plate 52 without imparting movement to the operating member I6. Because of the lrelative motion between the bushing and wheel, slipping and consequent wear on the camming plate surface is reduced. 'Upon reversal of direction of rotation of the steering wheel, the direction. of rotation of the Awheel 39 or E5 is likewise reversed and the wheels :move relativelyiwith respect to bushings 48 and 12 until the "lugs of the respective bushings engage the pin 4E! or the opposite end oi groove 16. Thereafter, the bushings rotate with the wheels vand the frictional engagement between the bushings and the camming plate causes the Voperating member to be returned in a clockwise direction to its neutral position with the bushings being urged into the camming recessto permit disengagement of the'wheel `from the hub of the' steering wheel. During the return of operating member I 6 to its neutral positionthere is a corresponding movement of the switch arm '6'2 Aand a return of the switch to itsA neutral position l K n From the description of operation of the device for a counterclockwise rotation of operating I'r'ienfiberV I6 corresponding'to a left turni it will Ybe obvious that to ,provide a right turnindication tl'ie'operationY of all parts vof the mechanism -wll besubstanti'allyvthe' same but reversed. 1

Simultaneously,

ber..-

v4 A direction signaling device such as that above described is particularly desirable since it permits of a construction utilizing a friction wheelY assembly to accomplish a return of the device to a neutral position and with the friction wheel of my invention a wheel of substantially small diameter maybe utilizedthereby reducing the Vsize of the devici'e. Further it permits a design adapted to accomplish a resetting operation upon a predetermined angular movement of the steering wheel. Still further, this invention permits utilizationof the direction signaling device on vehicles having steering wheels of diierent hub diameters,

What I claimas new and desire to secure by Letters Patent of the United States is:

1. A direction signaling device comprising a support, a wheel pivotally and rotatably mounted on said support, a bushing pivotally mounted on said support adjacent saidwheel, means for allowing relative rotation between said wheel and said bushing .throughout a predetermined angular distance, an operating member pivotally mounted on said support, said member having a ca m segment engaging said bushing for pivotally moving vsaid wheel and bushing on said support and an electrical switch mounted on said support for actuation by'said operating member.

2. In adirection -signaling device having a support, an operating member with a cam segment pivotally mounted on said support and an electrical switch actuatedby said member, a wheel pivotally and rotatably mounted on said support and a bushing mounted in axial alignment with said Wheel engaging said cam segment, said bushing being pivotally movable with said wheel in response to actuation of said operating member and vrotatable relative thereto throughoutga predetermined angular distance. Y

3. In a direction signaling device having a support, an operating member having a cam segment pivotally mounted on said support and an electrical switch actuated by said` member, a wheel pivotally and rotatably mounted on said support, a bushing mounted in axial alignment with said wheel and in engagement with said cam segment,

said bushing and wheel being relatively rotatable through a lost motion connection and pivotally movable in response to actuation of said operating member. Y i

4. -A direction signaling device comprising a support, a wheel pivotally and rotatably mounted on said support, a bushing pivotally mounted on said support adjacent said wheel Vand rotatable relatively thereto, lost motion means connecting said bushing and wheel for the relative rotation therebetween, an operating member having a cam segment pivotally mounted Von said support with said cam segment in engagement with said bushing for pivotally moving said bushing and wheel in response to actuation of said operating mem'- ber and an electrical switch mounted on said supportV for actuation by said operating inemI segment, said bushing being pivotally movable with said wheelin response to actuation of said operating member and lost motion means con- 5 necting said bushing and wheel to permit relative rotation throughc'r.u a predetermi ed angular distance.

G. In a direction signaling device, a housing, an operating member supported in said housi for limited rotary movement therein, me er being provided withl a cam segment, an. electrical switch mounted said housing for actuation by said member, a friction wheel pivotally and rctatably supported in said housing, said Wheel lo having a pin extending `ily there a bushing mounted in said housing in with said Wheel to engage said cam segment. bushing being pivotally movable with said wheel in response to actuation ci said operating mei.;- ber and having a radially extending "flange segment adapted to engage said pin to permit relative rotation of said bushing said Wheel throughout a pre-determined angular distance.

7. In a direction signaling device, a housing, :f an operating member supported in said housing for limited rotary movement therein, said inem ber being provided with a cam segment, an elecu trioal switch mounted in housing for actuau tion by said operating member, a friction Wheel Il pivotally and rotatably supported said housing, said Wheel having a slot one end thereof eas tending through a predetermined angular tance about the axis ci said wheel, a b mounted in said housing said Wheel to engage said cam seg i: bushing being pivotally movable with l i' in response to actuation or" sa ber and having a radially extending to be recessed in said slot tc prov angular rotation of said bushing on s throughout a predetermined angle.

8. In an automotive vehicle having a rotatable steering Wheel with a hub and a support for said Wheel, a direction signaling device cor orising a housing attached to said support adjacent said hub, an operating member mounted 'for rctation in said housing, said member having a cam segment, an electrical switch mounted in said housing for actuation by said member, a Wheel mounted for rotation in said housing, said Wheel being laterally movable in said housing into and out of engagement With said hub, and a bushing mounted adjacent said Wheel for engagement with said cam segment and movement laterally with said wheel in response to rotation of said operating member, said bushing being rotatable relatively to said Wheel throughout a predetermined angular distance.

9. In an automotive vehicle turning signal, a rotary element actuable with the vehicle steering mechanism, a manually operable signaling member, an electrical switching means actuable by said member when moved to signaling position, a Wheel, a support for said Wheel mounted for pivotal movement toward and from said rotary element, a camming means actuable by said signaling member when moved to signaling position to move said wheel into rotalive engagement with said rotary element, and a rotatable conu necting member actuable by said wheel and engaging said camming means to import movement thereto toward non-signaling position When rotated by said wheel, said connecting member and said Wheel having interengaging clutching means permitting limited rotation of said Wheel before imparting rotation to said connecting member.

1G. In a direction signaling device comprising a support, a Wheel rotatably and displaceably mounted on said support, a bushing displaceably mounted on said support adjacent said Wheel and rotatable relatively thereto throughout a predetermined angular distance, an operating member mounted on said support, said member having a cam segment for engaging said bushing and displacing said Wheel and bushing on said support and an electrical switch mounted on said support ior actuation said operating member.

il. A direction signaling device comprising a support, a first rotatable member displaceably mounted on said support, a second rotatable member mounted on said support for displacement with said irst member, interengaging clutching means connecting said first and second members and permitting limited relative rotation between said members, an operating member mounted on said support, camming means engaging one oi said members and actuable by said operating member to displace said members on said support and an electrical switch actuable by said operating member.

EDWARD L. BARCUS.

CES CITED The 'following references are or record in the nleoi this patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date 2,034,414 Pagendarm Mar. 17, 1936 2,308,108 Roedding Jan. l2, 1943 

